Individual Research Activity 3- Prakhar Sharma

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Durham College *

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1200

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Accounting

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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4

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Individual Research Activity 3 1. What control activity weaknesses should Vanessa report to her father? Lack of Oversight and Record Keeping for Room Usage: Vanessa should explain to her father that the hotel needs a more robust system for tracking room usage. The incident with Kevin's friends using a hotel room without any payment being recorded is a big red flag. It's crucial to have a system that ensures every room used is accounted for financially. This means implementing a foolproof check-in and check-out process that leaves no room for unauthorized use. Inadequate Inventory Control in the Lounge: The situation in the lounge, where drinks were served but not always recorded, points to a serious lapse in inventory control. Vanessa should highlight the importance of accurately tracking every item sold, especially during busy periods. Using unrecorded stock, like the tequila bottles from under the bar, can lead to significant revenue loss and makes it difficult to track the actual sales against inventory. Absence of Automated Systems in Parking Garage: Vanessa should discuss with her father the risks associated with the manual parking fee collection system. While Kevin's preference for a personal touch is commendable, it's also vulnerable to errors or dishonesty. An automated system would not only reduce these risks but also provide more reliable and detailed data about the parking garage's usage and revenue. Potential Conflict of Interest: PRAKHAR SHARMA 220545968
It's important for Vanessa to point out the potential conflict of interest in having Kevin's family members in key positions without proper oversight. This arrangement can lead to misuse of hotel resources or even fraud. A more neutral and professional oversight structure might be necessary to maintain integrity in hotel operations. Lack of Proper Segregation of Duties: Vanessa should explain the principle of segregation of duties – ensuring that no single employee has control over all parts of a financial transaction. This is a basic internal control mechanism to prevent fraud and errors. In the hotel's case, the same people are handling transactions and maintaining records, which is a risky setup. Inadequate Monitoring and Reconciliation Procedures: Finally, Vanessa should emphasize the need for regular and thorough monitoring and reconciliation of sales records, inventory, and cash receipts. This is essential for early detection of any discrepancies that might indicate errors or fraud. 2. If Vanessa wanted to determine how much money has been stolen or lost from the hotel, how could she do this? Is it possible? Vanessa should propose a detailed audit to compare records with physical inventory and sales data. This would involve looking at room occupancy records, bar inventory versus sales, and parking garage receipts. She might also suggest analyzing historical data to identify any unusual patterns or discrepancies that have emerged recently. It's important to acknowledge that while it might be challenging to determine the exact amount lost or stolen, especially if records have been manipulated, a thorough investigation can provide a good estimate.
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